IP Packet Marking for Radio Access Technology Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio access networks face congestion issues when multiple radio access technologies share the same IP infrastructure, leading to uneven data packet distribution due to differing delay characteristics, particularly between WCDMA and TCP/IP, resulting in unfair scheduling of data traffic flows with the same Quality of Service class.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves marking IP data packets with a radio access technology identification code in their headers, allowing for differentiated scheduling treatment based on the technology of origin, even if they belong to the same Quality of Service class, using a common secure tunnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple radio access technologies share the same IP infrastructure with common QoS class, then network simplicity and investment costs are reduced, but unfair scheduling and congestion occur due to different delay characteristics of each technology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing technology-specific scheduling parameters and weight factors for different radio access technologies (WCDMA, LTE, Wi-Fi) while maintaining a common IP infrastructure. Each technology receives customized scheduling treatment based on its delay characteristics and QoS requirements, allowing fair resource distribution without requiring separate network infrastructures.
2Device complexity
If normal scheduling is used for data packets from different RATs with the same QoS class, then scheduling complexity is reduced, but uneven distribution of data packets occurs between radio technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes scheduling parameters by introducing technology-specific weight factors and delay compensation mechanisms. The scheduler adjusts transmission priorities based on the radio access technology type (WCDMA, LTE, Wi-Fi) and their respective delay characteristics, achieving fair distribution without requiring completely new scheduling algorithms or increased system complexity.
3Device complexity
If the same QoS class is used for all data packet traffic regardless of RAT, then QoS classification simplicity is improved, but scheduling fairness between technologies deteriorates due to mismatched delay characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scheduling process into two levels: a common QoS classification level that maintains simplicity, and a technology-specific scheduling level that ensures fairness. The segmentation allows packets from different RATs to be classified under common QoS classes while receiving differentiated scheduling treatment based on their radio access technology characteristics.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to methods supporting enhanced scheduling of IP data packets originating from different radio access technologies. One aspect is a method in a node in a radio access network, said node comprising one or more radio access technology circuitry, each radio access technology circuitry serving data packet traffic according to a certain radio access technology, said method comprising marking the header of IP data packets with an identification code indicating which radio access technology that the data packets originated from, and a common Quality of Service class regardless of which radio access technology each data packet originated from and sending the data packets via a common secure tunnel. Another aspect is a method in a node comprising routing or switching functionality, the method comprising scheduling and forwarding the IP data packets according their radio access technology identification code using a preset radio access technology scheduling policy.